In the Loop
In the Loop Peter Capaldi, James Gandolfini, Tom Hollander Director: Armando Iannucci
Despite the fact that In the Loop contains more 'F' and 'C' words than you're likely to hear in a lifetime, it's the dialogue that makes this movie.
Armando Iannucci, the writer-director behind such British comedic greats as I'm Alan Partridge and The Thick of It, brings his biting political satire to the international stage.
In the Loop fictionalises British and US political machinations in the run up to a war in the Middle East, a device that enables Iannucci to mock events prior to the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The director retains the documentary style used for The Thick of It and Peter Capaldi who reprises his role as Malcolm Tucker, the prime minister's head of communications.
Based on Tony Blair's famed and feared press secretary Alistair Campbell, Tucker is a ruthless enforcer of the truth, understanding that the definition of the truth can change at a moment's notice. Whether shouting down his mobile phone or spitting in the face of those he is trying to dominate Tucker launches tirades of abuse so offensive and graphic they're likely to make you wince and laugh in equal measure.
Joining Capaldi is a cast perfect in their delivery.
James Gandolfini as the pro-peace American Major-General Miller gives one of the few nuanced performances, while David Rasche, as a Rumsfeldian assistant secretary of state is oily, venal and utterly repugnant.
Despite the uniformly misogynistic male characters there are well-written female roles, especially for Mimi Kennedy who plays Karen Clark, the US assistant secretary of state trying to stop Rasche's march to war, and Anna Chlumsky as her spunky aide Liza.
The dialogue is so fast you have to be alert throughout, but its cynical view of those in public office and their motives brings hollowness to In the Loop.
Perhaps this view might have been welcome in the Blair/Bush era, but Barack Obama has brought hope to international relations, something In the Loop offers little of.
